geico. 15 minutes could save you 15 % or more on car insurance. someone get me a latte will ya, please? >>> severe storm threat turns deadly. the risk of more tornadoes and a blizzard across a big chunk of the country today. >>> chilling words left mind in a note. what detectives are learning about the sniper who set a deadly trap for firefighters. >>> and vacation over, president obama cuts his trip to hawaii short but is there enough time to find a fiscal cliff compromise with republicans or will your taxes go up? on that note, good morning. i'm drew griffin. >> the question everyone wants answered. good morning, everybody, glad you're with us. i'm alina cho. soledad is off this morning. it's wednesday, december 26th. "starting point" begins right now. 8:00 in the east, our starting point a christmas to forget for millions of americans in the south and midwest, battling blizzard conditions and tornadoes. >> oh, my god, we need to go. it's right there. >> mobile, alabama, took a real beating overnight, a twister blowing transformers, and there ar